Where Does Plastic Come From? - Sailors for the Sea

Where Does Plastic Come From?

 July 25, 2024  | By: Jennifer Brett

Each year, Sailors for the Sea participates in Plastic Free July to bring awareness to the plastic pollution crisis we are facing, particularly as it relates to our oceans and marine life. Throughout the month, we will feature common questions about plastics and plastic pollution, as well as possible solutions and ways to get involved.

single-use plastic bottles in a production factory
Companies need to dramatically reduce the amount of unnecessary single-use plastic they are producing.

WHAT ACTUALLY IS PLASTIC?

Plastic is a synthetic material made from polymers, which are long chains of molecules, derived from fossil fuels. Oil and gas go through a distillation process to separate out different materials like propane, diesel fuel, etc. – including those used to make plastics. Whether you’re using single-use plastic cutlery, straws, or any other plastic item, you are almost always using a petroleum product.

WHAT ARE NURDLES?

Nurdles, also known as plastic pellets, are small, pea-sized granules of raw plastic material. They are the building blocks used in the production of nearly all plastic products. But their use comes at a price. Because of their small size and light weight, they spill easily and commonly end up in our waterways, polluting our rivers, lakes, coasts, and oceans.

An estimated 10 trillion nurdles pollute marine ecosystems worldwide each year. Plastic pellets wash down drains at production facilities and can be dumped or spilled directly into waterways while in transit, eventually making their way to our oceans. In fact, chronic losses of pellets have been documented at every stage of the supply chain. Once in the environment, nurdles can absorb toxins and be ingested by marine life, leading to health issues for wildlife and potentially entering the human food chain.

nurdles found on a beach
Due to their small size, nurdles can be difficult to clean up, and animals can easily mistake them for food.

SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

To stop plastic from entering our oceans, we must reduce the amount of single-use plastic being produced. Companies need to dramatically reduce the amount of unnecessary single-use plastic they are producing and using and offer consumers plastic-free choices for their products. The most impactful thing we can do is continue to support policies that will eliminate single-use plastic at the source. Pay attention to what is happening in your community, city, state and beyond and be a supporter of policies that will reduce plastics. The more voices there are speaking up on this topic, the more likely change will happen.

Reduce, refill, repurpose. Plastic containers are meant to last forever, so reduce what you buy, and then refill or repurpose them as much as possible.

Join us in taking a stand against plastic pellet pollution this Plastic Free July.